TEAM SPORTS - FLAG FOOTBALL STUDY GUIDE Each team will be composed of 6 players. The same 6 players will play on the offensive The Rules and defensive side. - Each team has 4 tries (or downs) to either score a touchdown (6 points) or pass the midfield line (also called the 1 st down line). - Teams will do paper, rock, scissors for first possession of ball (Best 2 out of 3) - All subs must sit near the first down marker at all times - Teams that score a touchdown will be given 1 opportunity to score an extra point 5 yards out from the endzone. Failure to convert the extra point will be considered a missed opportunity to score an easy extra point. - If the team is able to advance the ball past the 1 st down line, then the team will awarded an additional 4 tries (downs) to score. - If the team fails to convert, possession will go to the opposing team s 1 yard line. - There will be HIKING of the ball. The student hiking the ball may opt to block the incoming pass rush or go out for a receiver pattern after the pass rusher has counted 7 Mississippi s. Note, the Hiker may go out for a pass immediately but that leaves your quarterback without protection but it may also work to your advantage to exploit weaknesses in the opposing team s strategy. - The team may use all personnel as receivers (see above for exclusion to the rule) or incorporate 1 or 2 players as running backs for additional game strategy. - The running game opens up the possibility of using fake (or play action) calls to keep the opponent off balance, and providing a safer alternative to the passing game. - You will NOT TACKLE OR PUSH players to the ground. Players engaging in such activity will face disciplinary action!
- You are not being paid MILLIONS OF DOLLARS to compete! Have fun and keep healthy competition clean. Show good sportsmanship/sportswoman ship. - If you go out of bounds the play stops and the next play starts at the position where the player stepped out. - There will be NO kickoffs or punting allowed! - You stop a player by snapping off either flag attached to the main belt. - Flags must be placed on both sides of your body (hips). - When a player fumbles (drops the ball by accident or is stripped by the defender) the play is ruled dead from the spot where the ball landed. - The Safety Play will not apply to our tournament play Receiver Running Routes Streak Pattern Hook Pattern Out Pattern Drag Pattern Post/Corner Slant Pattern Pattern Pattern
Fade Pattern Running back/receiver screen Outside, Inside Pattern Take-Off Pattern * Please note that the exam may require you to recognize a diagram of a play as if you where the quarterback of the team. Please study accordingly! Keep in mind that you can alter patterns to go different lengths. For example, you can run a short pattern or long pattern for a pass. Audibles: Means a changing of the play by the quarterback at the last minute to exploit a defensive weakness (ex. could be due to taking advantage of a player weakness or defensive scheme weakness) Receiver routes can be changed (called hot routes) depending on how close the defender is guarding the opposing offensive player (the receiver).
Football Terminology Offense Pass: When the quarterback makes a forward toss of the ball (through the air). Pass can be thrown short, medium distance, or long. Toss/Pitch: A toss is a short pass that may be a lateral toss or thrown behind the line of scrimmage. The toss/pitch is mainly used as part of a running based play given to the running back. Shovel Pass: a super short, improvised pass tossed forward Completion: when a pass thrown by the quarterback is caught and held for possession by a receiver or running back Screen: A short lateral pass to the running back in which blockers help clear a path ahead of the running back Play Action: when the quarterback makes the motions of a handoff to the running back but instead does a fake and throws the ball to an open receiver. Useful for throwing your opponents off-balance in terms of strategy Defense Press Coverage: A tight defense used to guard receivers and prevent short and medium distance passes. This coverage may expose the defense to being beaten on a long pass by a fast receiver. Zone Coverage: A type of defense used to guard sections or zones of the field instead of guarding a specific player on a man-to-man basis and is a good defense to use to hide weaker defenders.
Man Coverage: A type of defense in which each defensive player has a specific player assignment (called a mark in some sports). This type of defense holds each individual play accountable and is best used when the team has good, skilled athletes. Blitz: A player on defense who goes after the quarterback to make an offensive play collapse due to pressure. The player blitzing must count 7 seconds off or mississippi s before proceeding to rush the quarterback. This play may leave the defense susceptible to pass plays for large yardage gains. On 4 th down the team may rush without counting the 7 mississippi s. and then same applies for extra points. Sack: When a defensive lineman takes the quarterback s flag(s) off before the quarterback has had a chance to throw the ball away. Interception: When a cornerback or safety (any defenseman) catches the ball and the team on offense losses possession of the ball. Interceptions are often labeled as a game changer play because it can help extend a lead further or help the losing team make a comeback Fumble: Fumbles occur when a defense man/woman strips the ball away from the offensive ball carrier. At times a fumble may occur to the team on offense due to carelessness. This type of play is also labeled a game changer by many coaches.
Description of Football Positions Offense Quarterback: The quintessential leader or general of the football field. Often the most important position in the sport of football since this position requires leadership and quick-decision making skills. The quarterback often hangs in the passer pocket and utilizes his/her arm as the main weapon. The quarterback may have to scramble (run/qb sneak) to avoid rushes and must also avoid costly turnovers (giving the ball up to the opposing team) in the form of fumbles and interceptions. The quarterback is responsible for directing and managing all players on offense, as well as issuing play calls and modifying play calls (termed an audible) Running Back: A crucial component on offense since the player occupying this position gives a strategic alternative to moving the ball strictly through the air. A running back s main weapon is his/her feet but at times may be incorporated into the passing game. A running back is characterized by his/her skill for carrying the football forward for yardage. Wide Receiver: The quarterback s best friend. A wide receiver is characterized by a player who is skilled at running, jumping, and catching a football thrown in the air in the middle of defensive traffic. The wide receiver catches the ball first and then carries the ball forward for yards after catch (also known as YAC for short). Defense Defensive Lineman/Woman: A defensive player that lines up at the line of scrimmage and attempts to rush the quarterback to get a sack. At times a defense lineman/woman may deflect a quarterback s pass.
Linebacker: A linebacker normally plays in the middle of the field and is a player that is able to play the run or drop into to coverage to help aid the cornerbacks and safeties. Cornerbacks: A cornerback is the direct counterpart of the wide receiver. A cornerback s job is to insure that the wide receiver is locked down and does not catch a pass. Safeties: Also knows as the last line of defense. If the defensive linemen/women, the linebackers, and corners all get beat, then the safety is expected to make a game saving play. Football History The game of football directly evolved from soccer and rugby. The first football game was played on November 6, 1869 between Rutgers University and Princeton University. A set of rules was added to the game in 1879. At first kicking the ball through the goal was worth 5 points and a touchdown was worth 2 points. As the game evolved, more emphasis was put on running the football. Finally the scoring was updated to reflect his change in emphasis. In 1912, the touchdown was raised to its present day value of 6 points. In the early days, throwing the ball forward was illegal. So, to change the view of football as a brutal game, the forward pass was allowed in 1906 to make it more of a finesse game. Key Points in History - First professional game,1895 - Early 1890 s players began wearing leather helmets - Helmets were required by NCAA in 1939 - A National Football League was formed in 1902 - The American Professional Football Association (AFPA) was formed in 1920, in 1922 it changed its name to the National Football League (NFL) which is the league we know today.